Real humans read every request · typical reply in 2 hours · All 67 Florida counties. Same-day dispatch in most FL metros. Standing weekly programs statewide.
Florida Pallet Supply • Updated July 2026
PECO Pallet (now part of EXL Pallet Solutions) operates the red pallet rental pool as a direct competitor to CHEP's blue pallets. PECO markets itself as a lower-cost alternative to CHEP for retail supply chains. But for operations that don't need a closed-loop retail pallet pool, buying owned GMA white pallets typically delivers significantly lower total costs than either CHEP or PECO rental.
Stamped kiln-dried pallet lumber, bulk warehouse stock, dimensional yard inventory, raw softwood logs, and sawmill operations - the supply chain behind every custom and standard pallet we ship.
| Factor | PECO Red Pallets | CHEP Blue Pallets | Owned GMA (Florida Pallet Supply) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-trip rental fee (typical) | ~$3 to $6 per trip | ~$4 to $6 per trip | $0 (owned) |
| Loss/damage fees | $15 to $35 per non-returned pallet | $15 to $35 per non-returned pallet | None |
| Admin/audit costs | Moderate | High | None |
| Retailer acceptance | Selected retailers | Broad acceptance | Universal GMA |
| Flexibility | Pool-dependent | Pool-dependent | Full flexibility |
| Best for | PECO-network retail | Closed-loop CPG | Most operations |
Florida Pallet Supply can be more competitive for your area.
Submit a free quote now →PECO's competitive advantage over CHEP is primarily price - their per-trip rental fees tend to run modestly lower. But both models share the fundamental inefficiency of pallet rental: loss fees (roughly $15 to $35 per non-returned pallet), damage charges, invoice reconciliation, and pool management overhead. Operations that own their pallets eliminate all of these costs entirely.
Owned GMA pallets usually win for open-loop or one-way distribution, custom sizes, high-leakage cross-dock or 3PL operations, and seasonal volume, because pool per-trip and non-return loss fees pile up on pallets you rarely see again. Pool rental (CHEP or PECO) can pencil out only for closed-loop CPG flows into major pool-network retailers with disciplined, tracked returns. Use the decision matrix below to place your operation.
| Your operation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Closed-loop CPG shipping only to major pool-network retailers (Costco, Kroger, Walmart pool lanes) | Pool (CHEP/PECO) | Retailer mandates pool pallets and structures the return path, so leakage stays low |
| Open-loop or one-way distribution (DTC e-commerce, mixed retail, export) | Owned GMA | No structured return path, so per-trip and loss fees pile up on pallets you never see again |
| Export shipments needing ISPM-15 heat treatment | Owned GMA | Pool pallets are not built for one-way export; sending them overseas triggers non-return loss fees |
| Custom or non-standard pallet sizes | Owned GMA | Pools stock only standard 48x40 block pallets; owned lets you spec any size |
| High-leakage environment (busy cross-dock, multi-tenant 3PL) | Owned GMA | 8 to 12 percent pool loss at $15 to $35 per pallet outweighs the rental convenience |
| Predictable, disciplined returns (dedicated dock, drop-trailer, low loss) | Pool viable | Returns are tracked and loss stays low, so per-trip economics can pencil out |
| Seasonal or spiky volume | Owned GMA | No per-trip meter runs on idle inventory; you buy once and hold |
Fast response • Same-day or scheduled delivery • 10-state delivery
